CULTURAL DIVERSITY PLAN - Geelong Arts Centre · 3 This GPAC Cultural Diversity Plan 2016-2018 (CDP) has been developed to ensure access to and participation in all our activities

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CULTURAL DIVERSITY

PLAN

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1As part of this diversity Indigenous people of Victoria are recognised by the Victorian Government as the first Australians with a unique spiritual, social and economic relationship to their traditional lands and waters – All of Us Multicultural Policy 2008.

IntroductionVictoria is widely acknowledged and celebrated as one of the world’s greatest multicultural societies.

Victorians come from more than 200 nations; we speak over 200 languages and dialects; we follow more than 135 faiths. More than 26% of the present population has been born overseas and 46.8% were either born overseas or have one parent born overseas. 74.5% of those born overseas came from non–main speaking English countries.

In the Geelong region 15.9% of the region’s population was born overseas with 9.4% from non-main English speaking backgrounds.

The Geelong region has a high representation of residents who arrived here from the Netherlands, Germany, Italy, Croatia and Scotland.

However, there are also an increasing number of new arrivals in the region – particularly from Phillipines, India, Malaysia, Thailand, Myanmar and China. Statistics relating to Geelong’s cultural diversity are included as Attachment B.

Geelong Region New Settlement Statistics70 Afghanistan57 Myanmar28 Iran22 Iraq17 Pakistan8 Tibet

With rapid growth in both the population and demographic diversity in this region there has never been a more important time for us to understand and embrace our cultural and linguistic diversity.

This extraordinary diversity reminds us that all Victorians and Victorian businesses need to continue to demonstrate understanding, fairness and respect – characteristics that have long been applied within Victoria’s democratic and egalitarian way of life.

The arts are in a very powerful position to provide leadership in this endeavour as artists have exceptional capacity to open our eyes and ears to a range of stories, music and imagery which help us interpret history and associated differences and similarities.

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This GPAC Cultural Diversity Plan 2016-2018 (CDP) has been developed to ensure access to and participation in all our activities regardless of ethnic, racial, religious or linguistic background. By continuing to ensure our programmes are accessible and inclusive to all GPAC will contribute to the regions success as a prosperous, multicultural society.

MulticulturalismThe Multicultural Victoria Act 2011 outlines the Principles of Multiculturalism(1) The Parliament recognises that the people of Victoria are united in

their shared commitment to (a) a democratic framework governed by the rule of law; and (b) Victoria and Australia and to the people, interests and future

of Victoria and Australia.

(2) The Parliament further recognises that all Victorians come from diverse backgrounds and values the richness that such diversity brings to the Victorian community.

(3) The Parliament supports the rights and responsibilities of citizenship to which subsection (1) refers and promotes the diversity to which subsection (2) refers by recognising the following principles of multiculturalism— (a) all individuals in Victoria are entitled to mutual respect and

understanding regardless of their diverse backgrounds;

(b) all individuals and institutions in Victoria should promote and preserve diversity within the context of shared laws, values, aspirations and responsibilities;

(c) all individuals in Victoria (regardless of background) have shown that they can work together to build a positive and progressive future and this co-operation is to be encouraged so as to enhance Victoria as a great place in which to live;

(d) all individuals in Victoria are equally entitled to access opportunities and participate in and contribute to the social, cultural, economic and political life of the State;

(e) all individuals in Victoria have a responsibility to abide by the State’s laws and respect the democratic processes under which those laws are made;

(f) all individuals in Victoria should be united in a shared commitment to Australia and to community service;

(g) all individuals and institutions should recognise Victoria’s diversity as an asset and a valuable resource benefiting Australia.

(4) The Parliament further recognises that Victoria’s diversity should be reflected in a whole of government approach to policy development, implementation and evaluation.

(5) It is the intention of the Parliament that this Act is to be administered and interpreted having regard to the principles of multiculturalism set out in subsection (3).

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The Objectives of the GPAC Cultural Diversity Plan (CDP)The GPAC CDP outlines initiatives to assist GPAC Trust and staff to:

• Value and celebrate diversity• Reduce inequality• Improve access to programs• Encourage participation in all GPAC activities• Promote the social and economic benefits of cultural diversity to all Victorians

This CDP provides GPAC with a framework for implementing the CDP over the next three years.

The 7 key objectives of the GPAC CDP are:

1. Diversity in programming – both in relation to artists engaged, stories being told, and target audience.

2. Increase diversity of marketing and promotion of GPAC programs to promote inclusion.

3. Increase the capacity of GPAC to recruit people from CD backgrounds.

4. Develop Culturally Diverse Youth Traineeships.

5. Increase diversity on Trust, its subcommittees and other staff committees within GPAC.

6. Build relationships with local culturally diverse communities.

7. Evaluate diversity initiatives as part of ongoing strategic and business planning.

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GPAC’s CDP in Action Strategy Time frame Responsibility Comment

Access and Participation

1. Diversity in programming

2. Increase diversity of marketing and promotion

Develop partnerships with MIFF,MIFA, Arts Centre Melbourne, Diversitat, MAV, Kultour; and indigenous artists

Create and maintain a database of local culturally diverse artists to increase involvement in GPAC programs.

Ensure information on venue hire is readily accessible to Culturally Diverse communities.

Identify and distribute press/marketing to ethnic media available in Geelong.

Distribute information through community newsletters.

Identify opportunities for multi language promotional materials.

Ensure marketing materials are easy to understand with strong visual content.

Identify potential GPAC Cultural Ambassadors in diverse communities to assist in development of more culturally diverse audiences and communicate community interests back to GPAC.

Ongoing

Ongoing

2016-2018

PM

PM

VOM

CRMM

See case studies

Resource issue

On website

Budget required

Diversitat

CRMM - Community Relations and Marketing Manager, CSM - Customer Services Manager, FAM - Finance and Administration Manager, GM - General Manager, PM - Program Manager, VOM - Venue Operations Manager

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2. Increase diversity of marketing and promotion (cont.)

Develop a generic GPAC programs/access brochure in five main languages as advocated by GPAC Cultural Ambassadors.

Review data base to identify CD patrons already attending GPAC events as a benchmark to assist in the evaluation of GPAC CDP.

Access program for CALD communities, new arrivals and refugees

Actively collaborate with other agencies and arts and cultural sector NGOs in initiatives to reach new audiences including low participation groups (CD, disability and youth).

Build on the strengths of education programs by expanding opportunities for young people and communities (particularly CD) to participate in arts and cultural activity across Victoria.

Ongoing

Ongoing

Ongoing

CSM

CSM

CRMM

PM / CRMM

Youth and Education

Budget required

GPAC:ED, programming/Family Magic

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Employment

3. Recruitment of people from CALD backgrounds

Governance

5. Increase diversity on Trust, its subcommittees and other staff committees

4. Develop Culturally Diverse Youth Traineeships

Identify and report on current staff from CD backgrounds through staff survey.

Ensure recruitment and selection policies and documents include information which encourage applications from people from CD backgrounds.

Conduct cultural awareness workshops for Trust and Management to raise awareness of the benefits of employment of staff from CD backgrounds.

Be a leading participant in the region’s overall cultural framework and participate in major initiatives and projects.

Enhance partnerships with supported employment agencies and training providers to assist with the recruitment of trainees and staff from CD backgrounds.

Reference Victorian Government Diversity register and identify locally based residents form CD backgrounds as potential members of Trust, subcommittees and consultative groups.

Annual

2016/17

Ongoing

Ongoing

Ongoing

FAM

FAM

GM

Mgt and Trust

FAM

Trust and Management team

New finance staff

Budget required

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Staff Development

6. Build relationships with local culturally diverse communities

Program Evaluation

7. Evaluate diversity initiatives as part of ongoing strategic and business planning

Incorporate cultural awareness training for staff and Trust to improve the delivery of programs to our CD communities.

Promote volunteer programs to staff to encourage engagement with diverse community organisations.

Promote culturally diverse events both within the region and Victoria to staff through all staff emails

Review CDP as part of annual review of Strategic and Business Plan implementation.

2016-17

Annual

Management Team/staff training

GM / Management Team

Budget required

Current Barriers to access and participation at GPACPrograms offered not connecting to cultural heritage and influences.

Varying levels of English language fluency and associated language barriers.

Disrupted or limited education inhibits knowledge of cultural opportunities.

Pressures of resettlement have resulted in limited capacity to pay for or seek out social activities.

Promotions not reaching CD communities in a language or form to which they have access.

GPAC not resourced to fully implement the plan

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In partnership with Diversitat our local multicultural agency , and funded by the State Government’s Community Suport Fund, we have expanded our annual entertainment program – Musical Mornings – to ensure seniors and new arrivals across all communities in the Greater Geelong region are part of the program. By offering an entertainment program - which includes local culturally diverse artists - we help communities celebrate their heritage and traditions and also increase understanding across communities. They share an inclusive cultural experience in a safe and respectful environment.

We have diversified the program of activities and improved access for community members. There are very few opportunities for artists to perform outside their own communities. This project aims to change that situation and bring their work to the main stage in a safe environment. That is why as part of the project we are;

• Creating opportunities to include dancers and musicians from our culturally diverse communities (as support artists and additional foyer entertainment) and offering cultural experiences – including food, artwork, and workshops in the foyer.

• Assisting them in the development of new performances by offering professional development support - which may be assistance in the development of new work for the program, costumes, or rehearsal space

• Enlisting volunteers from established communities to mentor new arrivals and assist them in the development of performances and foyer activities

• Addressing programming themes in order to further engage CALD audiences by including principal artists whose work more directly relates to the diverse backgrounds of those attending e.g. bilingual performance, music from their countries of origin.

Recognising that many are living on limited budgets we want to build the experience of the morning by including additional free of charge activities. To this end we are also introducing patrons to food and other activities relevant to the community participating in the program.

Biscuits and cakes from a variety of countries are supplied by Wholefoods Café & Shop (currently operated by Diversitat) which offers Organic and Conventional Products and engages volunteers from different CALD backgrounds.

The social aspect of the day is very important – particularly for the elderly and those recently arrived in a community. For many it is their big day out and their only social outing for the month – arriving at the theatre as early as 9am for a 10.30am performance and then staying on to have lunch. The addition of other free activities will enhance the social and cultural experience and build networks across communities.

Case Study: Musical Mornings – Diversity in Programming

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I call My Brothers ( MTC ) by Jonas Hassen Khemiri gpac:ed

Dare to be Faceless ( Doorstep) - Local artists and gpac:ed local African community

Short Black Opera - Indigenous choir - gpac:ed Deborah Cheetham AO

Kaleidoscope - themes of reconciliation and gpac:ed connection to culture

Monkey MIF

Country Song - the Jimmy Little Story Deakin University Theatre Season

Foyer entertainment

• Diversitat CALD Youth Chai Khana POP UP TEA HOUSE over 20 young people involved and mainly Afghan Youth

• Western Edge Youth Arts pop up performance of Forbidden co-written by Young people in partnership with Diversitat and North Geelong Secondary College mainly African Communities.

Diversitat ticket access ( asylum seekers; Congolese, CALD seniors)

Winyanboga Yurringa - indigenous Deakin University Theatre Season

The Aboriginal Comedy Allstars shaken+ stirred

Reconciliation in the Park gpac:ed

Sugarland by Rachel Coopes with gpac:ed Wayne Blair (ATYP)

Kaleidoscope - themes of reconciliation and gpac:ed connection to culture

Short Black Opera - Indigenous choir - gpac:ed Deborah Cheetham AO

Japanese Music Experience - Toshi Sakamoto gpac:ed

Cultural Diversity in Programming at GPAC

2015 2016

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Attachment A

Government Policy and Legislation which informs this Cultural Diversity Plan

The commitment to Cultural Diversity Plans is supported by key government initiatives including:

Government Legislation

Multicultural Victoria Act 2011.

Victorian Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities Act 2006 (Vic).

Racial and Religious Tolerance Act 2001

Equal Opportunity Act 2010.

Disability Act 2012 (Vic) Section 38.

Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (Aus).

Strategy Documents

Victorian Public Sector Indigenous Employment Strategy.

Victorian Indigenous Affairs Framework 2013-18

Women’s Policy Framework 2008-11.

VPS Code of Conduct.

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